The former Republican House Speaker has confessed. Confessed to what you ask? To trying to withdraw a total of $1.7 million from his account to buy the silence of a man he molested.

The 73-year-old Hastert entered his plea under a deal with prosecutors, who recommended a sentence of up to six months in prison.

The guilty plea was announced by the office of the US Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois. A sentencing hearing has been scheduled for February 29, it said.

Hastert allegedly made big payments to a male former high-school student to conceal claims that he had sexually abused the teen decades ago, law enforcement officials have told local media.

The Illinois Republican did not face any charges related to the allegations of sexual misconduct during his years as a high-school teacher and wrestling coach before entering politics.

But he was charged with breaking federal banking laws by trying to hide $1.7 million in cash withdrawals and lying to the Federal Bureau of Investigation when it questioned him about the suspicious activity